Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Steve Hughes and Luke Jones know they like each other, but they're not too sure if their cosplay characters will get along at all. At EscapeCon Steve becomes Captain Emerson Langdon-Hughes, a military inspired Steampunk captain. Luke Jones becomes Lucas Pickett, an authority-hating shopkeeper who will only deal with customers of rank because he wants their money. For most customers that means a few teasing comments, but for Steve's Captain there might be something special in store.

When Steve finds a particularly wonderful treasure among Luke's items he's eager to pay top dollar. Luke, however, won't even discuss the matter, taking the turquoise cufflinks out of sight and all but kicking Steve out of the storefront. What's so special about them? And if Captain Langdon-Hughes can't get along with Lucas Pickett, what does that mean for Steve and Luke?

Book Review

 Possibly more, because the 'get to know each other' phase is over and they are well into the deeper exploration of each other's preferences. The setting this time is a convention, so we get to see all the other sci-fi fans, vendors, and items on sale as well. Very cool if you're into that sort of thing.

 

Steve is taking this opportunity to go out in full captain's regalia (a sort of steampunk persona), and gets very irritated when Luke's shopkeeper keeps ignoring him. He still manages to have fun, including a quick evening encounter, a shared lunch, and a very shot presence at the ball.

 

Luke is amazing and in his element as a somewhat gruff shopkeeper, very different form his usual personality. He also has a little secret and enjoys driving Steve a little crazy with it. He is as interested in making sure they get close as Steve is, so luckily, the 'fight' they have is as make-believe as their costumes.

 

I'll issue the same 'warning' as for the first book:  if you don’t like at least three sci-fi shows, and have no idea what an Ewok is, you are unlikely to enjoy the details of this story. If, on the other hand, you like short stories that are full of convention details, if you enjoy characters with quirks who like to dress up, and if you're a fan of two men getting to know and like each other more every day, then you will probably like this story.

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review.

 

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Short Story, 39 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	06-December-2011
Price
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